Our tips and recommendations

Liguria has something to offer for every taste. No matter whether culture, sporting activities, hiking or the beach are in the foreground. Below are a few helpful tips from the region and some restaurant recommendations. Also, here are some useful tips that might be useful for your stay - or even your life - in Liguria.

Benvenuti in Liguria!

General

Mosquitoes

Unfortunately there are also mosquitoes in Liguria in summer. In addition to the "big ones" that are also known from Northern Europe, there are also very small ones. This strain is called "papatacci" and can be quite annoying. The only thing that helps (I'm talking about 10 years of Liguria vacation) is "Autan Family" and for the apartment the small socket plugs with anti-mosquito plates. You can easily buy these small devices in any supermarket or village shop. It really works and you can sleep with the windows open. It is the scent of chrysanthemums that is sprayed, so it is not harmful to health.

Markets

A farmer's market is held every Tuesday in Imperia-Porto Maurizio on the pedestrian street, Via XX Settembre. Only organically grown products from the area are offered here.

Every Thursday morning (until 12.30 p.m.) – Large weekly market on Via Cascione in the Porto Maurizio district.

Every Wednesday and Saturday morning (until 12.30 p.m.) - Large weekly market around the San Giovanni church in the Oneglia district.

Dolcedo:
Craftsmen, flea and organic market - from Easter to October on the 2nd Sunday of the month.

Sanremo:
Every Tuesday and Saturday morning - Large weekly market in the center with 240 stalls.

Ventimiglia :
Every Friday- Huge market by the sea. From 7 a.m., all day.

Pieve di Teco:
Large antique and flea market. Last Sunday of the month, Corso Marconi and Portici (Arcades) from 8am to 8pm.

Village shops

The nearest shop can be found in Pantasina. You will find a large selection of local products, such as organic olive oil, mountain cheese, fresh eggs. This shop is open all day, with a lunch break from around 12:30pm to 4:00pm.

There is also a small grocery store in Vasia. The store is well stocked, from milk to grill lighters and fresh meat, unfortunately only open in the morning at the moment.

Otherwise you can easily go shopping in Dolcedo, where there are several shops, a pharmacy, a very good butcher, a bar and restaurants.

Supermarkets

You drive down towards the coast through Vasia or Dolcedo. After passing under the highway bridge, you will find the supermarket "CONAD" on the right with a large parking lot in front of it.

Summer opening hours 9.30am to 9pm on Sundays (lunch break from 12.30pm to 3pm). Very good quality of the food, very well sorted, excellent fish and meat counter.

Olive oil

You can of course buy olive oil anywhere in Liguria and the quality is almost always higher than what you can get for the same money in Germany. But if you are looking for something special, it is best to ask in small oil mills and village shops. You get really good products, no waste and no mixed oils from different layers.

But the best thing is if you buy directly from the producers, they mainly only produce for their own consumption and when you buy them you will certainly learn something about the cultivation of Taggisca olives and the production of olive oil. The price-performance ratio is also right there.

Fresh fish

If you are going to spend your vacation by the sea, you should also try the excellent Mediterranean fish. In Imperia, in the port of Oneglia, there is the possibility to buy fish directly from the boat in the morning. You don't need to get up at 5:00 a.m., there is still a lot to get at 10:00 a.m.

additional

Holidays with dog

In almost all of my houses it is allowed to bring your dog. Merely a small surcharge on the final cleaning is requested. The villages mostly are situated off the tourist bustle and you can easily go outside house with your dog. Everywhere you will find small ways or ancient mule paths. The plots are traditionally not fenced off, so that you can walk wherever you want.

In restaurants it is common to ask whether dogs are allowed. During the summer months when you are sitting most of the time outside it is usually no problem. The beaches are during the summer months a taboo for dogs.

However, there is in Imperia - Poro Maurizio a special dog beach. It is located in the suburb of Borgo Marina. It is the first beach, directly opposite of the hotel "Corallo" which is fenced off and clean.

The second dog beach is in the district of Borgo Prino. It is the last beach in Imperia - Porto Maurizio in direction to Sanremo. Right next to the beach there is a large free car park, where you usually will find a free place. It is a not fenced sand and pebble beach.

In the neighboring village, San Lorenzo al Mare, there are beautiful free beaches, where dogs are allowed. You park in the village and follow the promenade along the cycling route (Pista Ciclabile) in direction Sanremo. Behind the last beach bar, several small footpaths or a staircase lead from the Pista Ciclabile to a stone and pebble beach.

In the off-season, from October to May you can go nearly everywhere with your dog to the beach. Although it is officially forbidden everybody acts that way. As long as the beaches are not managed and the parasols and deckchairs remain in storage, the dogs disturb nobody. The Ligurians principally like dogs.

In Liguria no dog must be muzzled, even if it is sometimes claimed in the Internet. I have at least never seen one with a muzzle.